Portable head rests and blanks therefor



March 16, 1965 c. T. KINSMAN 3,173,721

PORTABLE HEAD RESTS AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 23, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Gav/1v 7. K/n/SMAA/ ATTORNEY) March 16, 1 965 c.T. KINSMAN 3,173,721

PORTABLE HEAD RESTS AND BLANKS THEREFOR Filed Aug. 23, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 c F2924. F2372 INVENT OR CAL w/v T K/NsMn/v ATTORNEYI000. 5 Icon.

United States Patent 3,173,721 PORTABLE HEAD RESTS AND BLANKS THEREFORCalvin T. Kinsman, 7 iii) Sunset Blvd, New Port Richey, Fla. Filed Aug.23, 1963, Ser. No. 394,132 6 Claims. (Ci. 297-397) This inventionrelates to portable head rests of the class which includes a structurewhich may be selectively positioned upon or removed from the back of avehicle seat, for example, so that when the structure is so positionedit will augment the height of the seat back, whereupon the head of anoccupant of the seat may rest against the structure. Furthermore, theinvention is of the class disclosed in my United States Letters Patent2,996,333, dated August 15, 1961, for Portable Head Rests, and my UnitedStates Letters Patent 3,017,222, dated January 16, 1962, for PortableHead Rest.

An important object of the present invention is to provide portable headrest structures which include forwardlypositioned concave portionsconstructed and arranged to be engaged by the back portion of the usershead rather than the back of the head engaging the main portion of thestructure, whereby an especially comfortable head rest is provided.

Another important object of the invention is to provide portableheadrest structures as last described above in which theforwardly-positioned portions are detachably connected and may beremoved and they and the main portions collapsed and flattened out inorder to conserve space.

A further object of the invention is to provide portable head reststructures each of which initially embodied a single length of suitablesheet material, provided with openings, tabs, fold lines and a weakenedportion in order to permit separation of a part thereof, and both partsmanipulated so as to provide the structure described above.

The head rest structures of this present invention are of such low costin manufacture and for sale that they may be regarded as disposableafter limited use; and the blanks may be readily shipped and stored flat(stored as by a dispenser thereof, i.e., motor fuel dealer, or disposedunder a car seat for example); may contain advertising or other indicia;used in promotion or as give-away items; and may be readily assembliedfor use by the average person, since assembling thereof is relativelysimple.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following detailed description of the invention, takenin connection with the sure, and in which drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one form of blank adapted to provide one formof portable head rest structure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 1 formed into aportable head structure in use.

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view, substantially on the line 33 ofFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of another form of blank adapted to provide asecond form of portable head rest structure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 4 formed into a secondportable head rest structure.

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view, substantially on the line 66 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a third form of blank adapted to provide theform of portable head rest of FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the blank of FIG. 7 formed into theportable head rest structure of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view, substantially on the line 9-9 ofFIG. 8.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration 3,l73,72iPatented Mar. 16, 1965 are shown three forms of blanks and three formsof portable head rest structures, the letters A, C and E may designatethe blanks of FIGS. 1, 4 and 7 respectively; the letters B, D and F maydesignate the head rest structures of FIGS. 2, 5 and 8 respectively; theletters G, H and K may designate seats upon the backs of which thestructures B, D and F may be mounted, and the letters L, M and N maydesignate the users of the structures B, D and F while occupying theseats G, H and K respectively.

The blanks A, C and E have, in common, the follow ing features: Theyeach consist of a single elongate sheet of self-sustaining,readily-stamped or die-cut material which may be scored so as to bereadily bent or folded, and provided with a weakened portion so as toeifect ready separation of the blank into two portions. The blank iscapable of being arched as will be subsequently described. The materialmay be fibre head, heavy cardboard, jute board and the like. While thelength and width of the blank may vary, an overall length ofsubstantially 40 inches and a width of substantially 8 inches may begiven by Way of example. However, as noted in FIGS. 4 and 7, the overalllengths of the blanks may difier from the eX- ample given above. Eachblank is provided with a plurality of slots, an elongated tongue, aplurality of tabs provided with tongue portions, and preferably minorcutouts where small discarded portions of the material are removed inthe stamping or die-cutting.

Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the blank A has substantially parallelpartial side edges 10 extending to preferably rounded edges 11, curvedside edges 12, tab edges 13, 14 and 15 and tongue edges 16 to 20.Material, designated as 25 to 28 with broken lead lines, is materialremoved in the stamping or die-cutting step. There are also end edges 29and 30.

A pair of substantially parallel, transversely-extending slots 35 arepreferably provided adjacent the edge 29 and preferably two pairs oflongitudinally-extending axiallyaligned spaced-apart openings or slots36, adjacent the mid portions of the side edges 10, and atransversely-extending centrally-disposed slot 37, adjacent one slot 36of each pair. These slots 36 and 37 are arranged to have their wallsform a portion of means 66 for connecting the forwardly-positionedportion 56 of the head rest structure B to the main portion thereof.While the provision of the four slots 36 and slot 37 insures a veryacceptable arrangement for the attachment of the forwardly-positionedhead rest portion 56 to the main head rest portion 55, I may provide oneslot 36 adjacent each edge N, or omit the slot 37, or provide more thanthe four slots 36 or pairs of slots 37.

The blank A is also provided With a preferably elongated hinged tab 38extending longitudinally thereof and fashioned by providing elongatedlongitudinal cuts 39 therethrough and a short cut 40 joining one likeend of each cut. 7

Curved fold lines and 46 and substantially straight fold lines 47 to 52,and narrow weakened portions 53 are also provided for the blank A,substantially as shown in FIG. 1. The weakened portions 53 may be thewalls of indentations or perforation or a series of short slits in thematerial of the blank A.

The blank A, when the portion thereof which will constitute the mainhead rest portion 55, is separated from the part thereof which willconstitute the forwardly-posh tioned head rest portion 56 provides, whenarranged as in FIG. 2, the head rest structure B. Except for theprovision of the slots 36 and 37, the portion may be much like thestructure of the head rest of my Patent 3,017,222, referred to above.That is, there are provided a front part 57, a rear part 58, bridge 59,and curved part or hinge joining the parts 57 and 58, with the bridge 5?(provided by the elongated tab 38) detachably joining 6 using the headrest B, while the area 68 is the area above the area 67 and which facesthe resilient headcontacting sheet of the forwardly-positioned portion56, which sheet is spaced from the' area 68 with a space between them.This permits uninterrupting' arching of the sheet to provide ahead-receiving concavity as will be explained subsequently.

As may be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3, the slots 36 and 37 are now inthe front part 57 at the upper portion thereof.

Referring now to the forwardly-positioned head rest portion 56, afterthe weakened portions 53 are severed, the tabs 61, defined by the edges13 and 14 and fold lines 51 and 52 respectively are folded in theirrespective fold lines to substantially parallel each other (as in FIG.3) and the tab 62 defined by the edges 15 and 2i) and the fold line 53is folded on that fold line (as may be seen in FIG. 2), the tongues ofthe tabs 61 are inserted in the slots 36 and the tongue of the tab 62'inserted in the slot 37, with all fits of the tongues being intimate ortight, the forwardly-positioned head rest portion 56' is in position foruse. The tabs 61 and 62 with their tongues cooperate with the walls ofthe slots 36 and 37 to provide means 66 for detachably connecting theportions 55' and 56 together.

Since the shortest distance between the fold lines 51 is somewhatgreater than the shortest distance between opposite of the slots 36, asis clear in FIG. 1, the headengaging area 68' of theforwardly-positioned portion 56 Will provide a concavity 64. In FIG. 3,this area 68' is shown as faced with'a sheet of resilient material 65,but

the use of this is optional, and it may be omitted.

Comparing FIG. 2 with FIG. 1, it will be seen that especially the curvededge 12 projects upwardly and rearwardiy. This, together with thecurvature of the area 63 to form the concavity 64, provides a veryrestful'total area for the head of the user L.

Canting of the forwardly-positioned head rest portion 56 is prevented bythe use of the tab 62 which is, as shown in FIG. 1, relatively broad.The tonguesof thevarious tabs arepreferably short, being just sufiicientto extend through the slots 36 and 37 and project very slightlytherefrom.

The portable head rest structure A is positioned with the bridge 59engaging the upper face 741 of the back 71 of the seat G,the front part57 engaging the front face 72 of the seat back, and the rear part 58disposed over the rear face 73 of the seat back.

With reference to the form of the blank C, of FIG. 4, this is much likethe blank A, as was stated heretofore and similar reference numerals,followed 'by the exponent will be employed to designate parts of theblank C substantially corresponding to like parts of the blank A.

The essential difference between the blank C and blank A reside in theelimination of the slots 36 and substitution thereof of cuts through thematerials of the blank C,

at 70 to 76 inclusive, with foldlines 77 joining the cuts 70 and 76.These fold lines 77 are substantially parallel the side edges 10 and areadjacent thereto. In addition, I prefer to provide an additionaltransverse slot 78 apposite the slot 37', the Walls of which function asdo the walls of the slot 37.

' side edges 10, the Walls of which, together with the tab defined bythe edges 84, 85 and 18 and fold line 91, as well as the tab defined bythe edges 82 and 83 and weakened portion 92, formportions of the means91 for 1 a connecting the forwardly-positioned head rest portion 96 tothe main head rest portion 95 of the portable head rest structure D,next to be described.

With reference to the portable head rest structure D of FIGS. and 6,when the blank C is divided into two 7 parts along the weakened portion92, there will be provided one part constituting a main head restportion 95 and forwardly-positioned head rest portion 96.

The main head rest portion 95, when arranged as in FIG. 5, will be quitesimilar to the main head rest portion 55, and substantially similarparts of the head rest portion 95 which find their equivalent in thehead rest portion will be designated by like numerals followed by theexponent There are provided a front part 57, a rear part 58', bridge 59'and curved part or hinge 69 joining the parts 57' and 58' with thebridge 59 detachably joining the parts 57' and 58'. There is also anarea 67'.

In attaching the forwardly-positioned head rest portion 96 to the mainhead rest portion 95, the two tabs 97 and 98 are bent down at theirrespective fold lines 99 so that their tongues will enter the slots 78and 37 respectively, but first, the two tabs 106 (FIG. 6) defined by thecuts -76 and fold lines 77, are bent upwardly.

It will be noted, by comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 6, that the shortestdistance between the slots is greater than the shortest distancebetween'the fold lines 77 so that, in order to effect a good entrance ofthe tongues of the tabs 100 into the slots 90, the tabs 100 must beraised (which reveals the slots or openings 100 as in FIG. 6) and thenspread so that their axes converge downwardly and this tends to causearching of the for wardly-positioned portion 96 in order to provide aconcavity 101 which functions as does .the concavity 64. The head of theuser M rests upon this comfortable concave area 68 which functions asdoes the area 68. Canting of the tabs 16% out of their positions asinFIG. 6 is prevented by the relatively broad tabs 97 and 58.

Positioning of the head rest structure D'upon the back 165 is similar tothe positioning of the head rest structure B, in that the bridge 59'resting upon the upper edge 106, the front part 57, engaging the frontface 1070f the seat back of the'rear part 58 at the rear face 198 of theseat back.

I prefer that the tongues of the tabs 160 be short so that they do notextend unduly into the concavity 101, substantially as is exemplifiedinFIG. 6.

The blank -E of FIG. 7 is, in the main, much like that of the blank Cand, preferably, the only difference resides in the cuts to 118inclusive, and the absence of the slots 37 and 78 of the blank C. Butwith the example of the blank C before one, it is believed now obviousthat there may be provided less cuts in the material of the blank E, sothat but one'tongue be provided for each tab or, two tongues be providedfor the tabs 100 of the blank C. Even more than two tongues per tab maybe provided if found expedient. Fold lines 119 joint the cuts 1111 and118. V

In the lower portionof FIG. 7 it will be noted that four openings orslots 120 are provided relatively arranged somewhat like the slots 36 ofthe blank A. A

V weakened portion 121 is provided to separate the blank E into twoparts.

Parts of the blank E, substantially similar to like parts of'the blanksA or C, will be given similar reference numerals, followed bytheexponent When the blank E is arranged as in FIG. 8 there is provided theportable head rest structure F with a main head rest portion 125 and aforwardly-positioned head rest portion 126.

The main head rest portion 125 includes parts substantially similar tothose of the main head rest portions 55 and 95 and these will be givenreference numerals followed by the exponent as to the portion 125.

The forwardly-positioned head rest portion 126 of the head reststructure F relates to both the forwardly-positioned head rest portions56 and 96 as to a head contacting concavity 139, (defined by an areasubstantially similar to the areas 68 and 68) similar to the concavitics64 and 191, due to the shortest distance between opposite slots 126being greater than the shortest distance between the fold lines 119.This will cause arching of the forwardly-positioned portion 126 when thetongues of the tabs 131 are inserted in the slots 120 as in FIG. 9.

The walls of the slots 120 and the tabs 131 with their tonguesconstitute means 132 for connecting the forwardly-positioned head restportion 126, to the main head rest portion 125.

Of course, the tabs 131 must be raised and swung on the fold lines 119in order to position them for use. The raising and swinging motions willreveal the slots or openings 131 of FIG. 9.

In each form of the invention, given by way of eX- ample, theforwardly-positioned head rest portions 56, 9d and 125 face the upperareas of the main head rest portions 55, 95 and 125 and each portion 56,96 or 126 constitutes a resilient, concave sheet with no structure, suchas padding, springs, fluid-filled pockets and the like, between it andthe upper areas of the associated main head portion. Such is notnecessary and would but add considerable expense in the manufacture ofthe portable head rest.

Various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be madeto the forms of invention herein shown and described, without departingfrom the spirit of the invention or scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A portable head rest for a back of a seat, the back having a frontface and an upper face, said portable head rest including anupwardly-extending front part having an area for contacting said seatback, at said front face, and for contacting a portion of the back of agarment worn by an occupant of such seat back and leaning against saidfront part, said front part also having a second area above thefirst-named area; a headcontacting part consisting of a sheet ofresilient material spaced outwardly of and facing said second area; dualfunction means, carried by said front part and said head-contactingpart, attaching said head-contacting part to the portion of said frontpart defined by said second area and for arching said head-contactingpart toward said second area to provide a concavity for receiving theback portion of the head of said occupant; and means connected with saidfront part intermediate the height thereof for resting upon said upperface for sustaining said front part upon said seat back.

2. A portable head rest according to claim 1 characterized in that saiddual function means includes tabs, having tongues, carried by one ofsaid parts and bridging between said front part and said head-contactingpart at said second area of said front part, said other part havingslots snugly receiving said tongues.

3. A portable head rest according to claim 2 characterized in that saidslots are in said front part, disposed longitudinally thereof, adjacentside edges thereof and side-by-side, and said tabs extend inwardly fromside edges of said resilient sheet, and the shortest distance betweensaid slots is less than the shortest distance between said tabs whensubstantially in parallelism and when said resilient sheet issubstantially flat.

4. A portable head rest according to claim 2 characterized in that saidslots are in said resilient sheet, adjacent side edges thereof andside-by-side, and said tabs project forwardly from said front part withthe shortest distance between said slots, when said resilient sheet issubstantially flat, being greater than the shortest distance betweensaid tabs when engaging said slots.

5. A portable head rest according to claim 2 characterized in that saidslots are in said resilient sheet, adjacent side edges thereof andside-by-side, and said tabs project forwardly from said front part withthe shortest distance between said slots when said resilient sheet issubstantially flat being greater than the shortest distance between saidtabs when engaging said slots, said tabs being disposed diagonally withrespect to said front part and said resilient sheet.

6. A portable head rest according to claim 2 characterized in that saidslots are in said resilient sheet, adjacent side edges thereof andside-by-side, and some of said tabs proiect forwardly from said frontpart, with the shortest distance between said slots when said resilientsheet is substantially fiat, being greater than the shortest distancebetween said tabs when engaging said slots, said front part also beingprovided with a slot extending transversely of said front part, and saidsheet being provided with a tab, with tongue, extending to the lastnamedslot with the tongue of said last named tab eX- tending into the lastnamed slot in snug engagement with the wall thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,932,368 10/33Bowman 2298 2,677,469 5/54 Ebert 248-198 3,017,221 1/62 Emery 297-3973,017,222 1/62 Kinsman 297-397 3,101,217 8/63 Requa 297--391 FRANK B.SHERRY, Primary Examiner.

1. A PORTABLE HEAD REST FOR A BACK OF A SEAT, THE BACK HAVING A FRONTFACE AND AN UPPER FACE, SAID PORTABLE HEAD REST INCLUDING ANUPWARDLY-EXTENDING FRONT PART HAVING AN AREA FOR CONTACTING SAID SEATBACK, AT SAID FRONT FACE, AND FOR CONTACTING A PORTION OF THE BACK OF AGARMENT WORN BY AN OCCUPANT OF SUCH SEAT BACK AND LEANING AGAINST SAIDFRONT PART, SAID FRONT PART ALSO HAVING A SECOND AREA ABOVE THEFIRST-NAMED AREA; A HEAD-CONTACTING PART CONSISTING OF A SHEET OFRESILIENT MATERIAL SPACED OUTWARDLY OF AND FACING SAID SECOND AREA; DUALFUNCTION MEANS, CARRIED BY SAID FRONT PART AND SAID HEAD-CONTACTINGPART, ATTACHING SAID HEAD-CONTACTING PART TO THE PORTION OF SAID FRONTPART DEFINED BY SAID SECOND AREA AND FOR ARCHING SAID HEAD-CONTACTINGPART TOWARD SAID SECOND AREA TO PROVIDE A CONCAVITY FOR RECEIVING BACKPORTION OF THE HEAD OF SAID OCCUPANT; AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAIDFRONT PART INTERMEDIATE THE HEIGHT THEREOF FOR RESTING UPON SAID UPPERFACE FOR SUSTAINING SAID FRONT PART UPON SAID SEAT BACK.